"There really has to be an attempt to get these large-scale procurement projects right," he said.

"It is not enough to go on saying we have the best
forces in the world, we have got to make sure that they are equipped to do the job."

The NAO has made a series of recommendations to help the MoD get the most out of its fleet while waiting for it to be brought back to full strength.

'Progress'

These include eliminating slippages in deliveries and streamlining training practices.

The NAO said Britain's battlefield fleet was nonetheless "arguably the most capable helicopter force in Europe" and recognised that "significant progress" had been made since the MoD's Joint Helicopter Command had been set up in 1999.

"However, more is to be done if the significant shortfall in helicopter
capability is not to limit operations in the future."

In a statement, the MoD said it acknowledged the shortfall.

"Much of that derives from increases in operational requirements that have
evolved over recent years," it said.

"The MoD is currently in the early stages of planning
the next generation of its battlefield helicopter capability, and is preparing
for significant investment in future platforms."